ML19241A593
| ML19241A593 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 06/12/1978 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19221A609 | List: |
| References | |
| IEB-78-07, IEB-78-7, NUDOCS 7905230385 | |
| Download: ML19241A593 (4) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:d 7 h.n ..g G f g: m UNITED STATES E NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
- g OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
[ Q WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 { T June 12, 1978 l$ =q IE Bulletin do. 78-07 i PROTECTION AFFORDED BY AIR-LINE RESPIRATORS AND SUPPLIED-AIR HOODS k Description of Circumstances: When the Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC) estabiished its current [ regulations and guidance on acceptable programs for respiratory pro-i: tection (10 CFR Part 20, 5 20.103(c) and Regulatory Guide 8.15), it [ announced its intention to revise the guidance as better information could be obtained and made available. The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) has been developing pertinent information under NRC i contract and has submitted a Progress Report on protection factors for air-line supplied-air respirators, LA-7098-PR, and an Informal Report on supplied-air hoods, LA-NUREG-6612-MS. A. Air-line supplied-air respirators The report on air-line respirators indicates that the protection provided (protection factor) by certain full facepiece and half-mask facepiece, demand-mode-operated, air-line, supplied-air respirators is significantly less than was previously estimated from the limited information that was available when the protaction factors in the current NRC guic'ance were publishe (Regulatory G;ide 8.15, Table 1). Specifically, the current d guidance lists protection factors of 10 for half-mask facepieces and 50 for full facepieces that are used with air-line equipment that is operated in the demand mode. The'information in the LASL report indicates that much of the equipment of this type, even though NIOSH-MESA
- tested and certified, does not achieve a protection factor greater than 5.
The report recommends that such equipment no longer be certified by NIOSH nor approved by NRC for use. B. Supplied-air hoods The report on supplied-air hoods emphasizes the importance of maintaining a minimum air flow of 6 cubic feet per minute (approximately 1701pm), and recommends a protection factor of 1,000 at this air flow if calibrated ' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration, responsible for respirator cectification. MESA is now designated MSHA, flining Safety and Health Administration. . i
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53 ... - t IE Bulletin fio. 78-07 June 12, 1978 d5N n~ M air-line prcssure gauges or flow measuring equipment are used. A 73 protection factor of 2,000, as given in the current f4RC guidance, is yo recommended for supplied-air hoods only when air flows are maintained MC.0 at the manufacturer's recommended maximum rate. .p The flRC will further evaluate the in'ormation in these reports and other i:I pertinent information and will revise its guidance as appropriate, e.g., by reducing the protection factors permitted, or by eliminating the approvals for or specifying particular conditions for the use of such equipment. i l It is recommended that the following actions be considered by all licensees who have respirat.ory protection programs: 1. A protection factor of no more than 5 should be utilized for half-mask and full facepieces that are used with art. oved air-line equipment operated in the demand mode. 2. A protect'on factor of no more than 1,000 should be utilized for approved supplied-air hoods when the air flow is maintained at ~ 6 cubic feet per minute and calibrated air-line pressure gauges or flow measuring equipment is used. l 3. A protection factor o ',000 should be utilized for approved supplied-air hoods onty when the air flow is maintained at the manufacturer's recommended maximum rate, this rate is greater than 6 cfm, and calibrated air-lina pressure gauges or flow measuring equipment is used. ._m Actions To Be Taken By Licensees: For all power reactor facilities with an operating license, all research reactors with an operating license, all fuel cycle facilities with an operating license and all material licensees receiving this Bulletin: 1. If your respiratory protection "rogram includes the use of air-line supplied-air respirators operated in the demand mode (not iespirators operated in continuous-flow or pressure-demand modes) or supplied-air hoods, describe the actions you plan to take to assure proper protection of perso inel in consideration of the information provided by this Bulietin. O,, 2 of 3 - y, -c ge-y,_ ~ ~ .r, ~ .--.,,-..s'.m. .ns ., g 9 , La os. s a ..s.. e9~. s..~.,, ens...
= ~j g IE Bulletin flo. 78-07 June 12, 1978 E 1< Lg E ~ 12j 2. If your respiratory protection program includes the use of [ =q air-line supplied-air respirators operated in the demand mode i. .;.~, (not respirators operated in continuous-flow or pressurc-demand 4 sh modes), determine the manufacturer, model and number of half- [i }; mask and full facepiece equipment used in this raode. 13 3. Report in writing within 60 days the information required in ![) items 1 and 2, if applicable. Reports are to be submitted to fs the Director of the appropriate fiRC Regional Office listed in hi Appendix D of 10 CFR Part 20 and a copy forwarded to the Director, f Division of Fuel Facilities and Mcterials Safety Inspection, U.S. tiRC, Office of Inspection and Enforcement, Washington, D.C. 20555. Approval by GAO, B180225(R0072); clearance expires 7/31/80. Approval was given under a blanket clearance specifically for identified generic probl ems. g (: i t i l 1 h 9 3 of 3 )' 0. 0 c t L.
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.O d M_ - ? %9 D.5 IE Bulletin No. 78-07 tid ..n June 12,1978 t:" gy~; 5D LISTING OF IE BULLETINS iW': ISSUED IN 1978 4: : %3n Bulletin Subject Date Issued Issued To '$q No. t
- ?.,.., q fj 78-01 Flammable Contact -
1/16/78 All Power Reactor Arm Retainers in G.E. Facilities with an iy CR120A Relays OL or CP ~ a =J./ 78-02 Terminal Block 1/30/78 All Power Reactor ., : 1 "ualification Facilities with an OL or CP 4.f] 78-03 Potential Explosive 2/8/78 All BWR Power l Gas Mixture Accumula-Reactor Facilities tions Associated with with an OL or CP BWR Offgas System Operations 78-04 Environmental. Quali-2/21/78 All Power Reactor fication of Certain Facilities with an O Stem Mounted Limit OL or CP Switches Inside Reactor Containment 78-05 Malfunctioning of 4/i4/78 All Power Reactor Circuit Breaker Facilities with an Auxiliary Contact OL or CP Mechanism-General, Model CR105X 78-06 Defective Cutler-5/31/78 All Power Reactor Hammer, Type M Relays Facilities with an With DC Coils OL or CP Enclosure l Page 1 of 1 tR i I V L_ TT T yr w g y pg -{- g j, " - 7 A ~ - t 2, s, [^<*,,~~_ =G.,*. ,-4... s.,... .... - - -. _ _... ~ ~ -}}